Linfield moved within a point of 3rd place Glentoran when the Blues defeated Crusaders 1-0 at Windsor Park last night, with Chris McKee’s strike late in the first half making it back-to-back wins.
David Healy made one change to the Linfield team which defeated Bangor 1-0 on Saturday as Charlie Allen replaced Josh Archer in the starting eleven. Ben Hall and Ethan McGee both returned from a one-match suspension and took places on the bench with Alex Gorrin and Donatas Jermakovas dropping out.
In what was the first meeting between the teams this season and the 100th time the teams had met in a league fixture at Windsor Park. The new-look youthful Crusaders team were first to go close as they passed up a good opportunity in the third minute. It was a nice passage of play, started by Lloyd Anderson in midfield as he found Elliot Dunlop on the left. The pacey Scottish winger showed quick feet to take on a defender and whip in a low cross for the in-form Fraser Bryden who’ll be disappointed to have put it the wrong side of the post.
Despite that, the Blues were well on top in the first half and really ought to have scored at least a couple more goals than the one they scored. In the opening ten minutes, Kyle McClean had a crisp 20-yard strike which squirmed through the grasp of Jonathan Tuffey, but luckily for the former Linfield ‘keeper, it went wide of the goal for a corner kick.
Soon after, a corner kick was delivered by Kirk Millar and met unopposed by Matthew Fitzpatrick who was disappointed to have headed over from a good position. A short time later, the two combined again as Millar’s cross from the right was headed over again by Fitzpatrick who, in his great form, will be frustrated not to have scored on the night.
On 16 minutes, the Blues were denied by the crossbar. Kirk Millar pressed well to dispossess Crues midfielder Josh Williamson before playing a one-two with Matthew Fitzpatrick, before his curling shot from left to right came back off the crossbar when Tuffey was beaten.
Chris McKee was next to go close, turning and striking a volley after Isaac Baird had flicked on Dane McCullough’s long throw-in, but the effort was saved.
Young Crusaders full-back Kurtis Forsythe had a good game. The defender tried to drive forward at every opportunity, and on one occasion he got up to the Linfield box before his low cross was not fully cleared which allowed Crusaders midfielder Lloyd Anderson the opportunity to step onto the ball for a 12-yard strike which he fired over the bar.
On 38 minutes, Linfield were denied by the woodwork for the second time as Dane McCullough’s cross from the left came through to Charlie Allen at the back post and his strike rattled the post on his 50th appearance for the Blues.
Crusaders broke with danger again on 41 minutes, utilising the pace of their forward line as an inch-perfect through ball from former Linfield Academy left-back Brendan Hamilton found Adam Brooks who went past the onrushing Chris Johns and hit a left-footed shot from a tight angle, but it was headed off the line by Sam Roscoe. The forward did everything right and Roscoe deserves plaudits for being alert.
On 44 minutes, unbelievably, the Blues were denied by the woodwork for a third time. Charlie Allen showed neat footwork to make room for a cross which was pinpoint for Chris McKee who looked certain to score at close range, however Jonathan Tuffey made a really excellent save to tip the header onto the underside of the crossbar.
But just as Crusaders thought they’d survived to half-time, the Blues deservedly get the opener in the 45th minute as Kirk Millar delivered a wonderful deep cross following a short corner, with Matthew Fitzpatrick peeling around the back post to head the ball back across. It came off Tuffey before Chris McKee pounced to bury his fourth goal of the season.
HT: LINFIELD 1-0 CRUSADERS
The Blues played well in the first half and should have had a bigger lead to show for it. The second half wasn’t as good. Crusaders remained in the contest, although they were unable to test Chris Johns. Whilst the Blues didn’t create as much in the second half, it was another good defensive showing to keep out a pacey forward line.
That said, the Crues looked dangerous from set-pieces, with some excellent deliveries from captain Jarlath O’Rourke. Just before the hour-mark, Crusaders defender McCart got his head on a corner, but it was cleared off the line by the alert Kirk Millar.
At the other end, Chris McKee connected well with a 20-yard left-footed strike which flashed just wide of the upright, and a Kirk Millar free-kick came off Crusaders striker Bryden before Tuffey made a smart save down to his left to prevent an own goal. Ross Clarke also sweated as he got a touch on a Kirk Millar corner, but the ball flashed past his own post, much to his relief.
There was a dangerous break for Crusaders with 20 minutes remaining as Archer was dispossessed, leading to a 3v2 in Crusaders’ favour. Jordan Forsythe slid the ball into Fraser Bryden, but the Irish League top goalscorer was denied by a brilliant block by Sam Roscoe.
Sam Taylor was introduced to give the Blues fresh energy and he pounced on a loose ball in midfield to launch a Linfield counter. The Englishman slipped in Chris McKee who had a strong effort palmed away by Tuffey.
There was one last chance in it, for Crusaders on 86 minutes as Lloyd Anderson headed over Finley Thorndike’s deep corner.
Sean Brown suffered a nasty gash on his leg from a challenge late on but it shouldn’t keep him out of action. The young defender impressed again, picking up the Man of the Match award which is already his third of the season.
The Blues weren’t at their best in the second half but deserved their win nonetheless. Next up is a home League match against Carrick Rangers this Saturday (15:00) as the Blues continue to try and climb their way back to the summit after falling behind due to matches being postponed and three consecutive draws earlier this month.
FT: LINFIELD 1-0 CRUSADERS
Linfieldfc.com Man of the Match: Sean Brown
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Sean Brown, Scot Whiteside, Sam Roscoe, Dane McCullough, Isaac Baird (Josh Archer 58’), Kyle McClean, Charlie Allen (Charlie Allen 74’), Kirk Millar © (Ethan McGee 81’), Chris McKee (Matt Yates 81’), Matthew Fitzpatrick
Unused subs: David Walsh (GK), Ben Hall, Callumn Morrison
CRUSADERS: Jonathan Tuffey (GK), Kurtis Forsythe, Odhran McCart, Jarlath O’Rourke ©, Brendan Hamilton (Evan Easton 74’), Josh Williamson (Jordan Forsythe 81’), Lloyd Anderson, Ross Clarke (Finley Thorndike 61’), Elliot Dunlop (Oilibhear McCart 83’), Adam Brooks, Fraser Bryden
Unused subs: Musa Dibaga Nimaga (GK), Jacob Blaney, Lewis Barr
REFEREE: Tim Marshall